The University of Florida has completely backtracked on its policy to prevent three professors from testifying in a state legal challenge. The university originally said the professors’ testimony would be a conflict of interest given the university is funded by state dollars.
“Outside activities that may pose a conflict of interest to the executive branch of the State of Florida create a conflict for the University of Florida,” said David Richardson, dean of UF’s college of arts and sciences.
However, after public outcry, UF President Kent Fuchs instructed the Conflict of Interest office to reverse its decision.
“Without prejudice regarding the task force recommendations, I have also asked UF’s Conflicts of Interest Office to reverse the decisions on recent requests by UF employees to serve as expert witnesses in litigation in which the state of Florida is a party and to approve the requests regardless of personal compensation, assuming the activity is on their own time without using university resources,” said an official statement from UF.
The withdrawal of its policy occurred in stages, with the university first issuing a statement saying the professors would be able to testify if it was done on a pro bono basis. However, the professors had the backing of the American Association of University Professors who said the university was censoring their speech.
“The only silencing of speech I see on campuses are the board of trustees trying to gag faculty on this or that — gagging these academic experts from sharing their academic expertise for the common good,” Mulvey said.
The university’s faculty members said the school needed to publicly apologize to Daniel Smith, Sharon Austin, and Michael McDonald.
“We’ve got to save the University of Florida,” said Paul Ortiz, president of the United Faculty of Florida’s UF chapter and a history professor. “This is really a crisis moment in our republic.”
The situation quickly turned into a partisan issue, with notable Florida Democrats saying UF’s initial ban on the professors reflected the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis administration.
“The writing is on the wall: Gov. DeSantis is looking for blind loyalty from institutions from across the state,” said Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL-13) said. “Under DeSantis, Floridians either have to comply or suffer the consequences.”
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) also called on fellow alumni to withhold donations to the school until they reversed their decision.
“Today I’m joining alumni from across the country in opposing @PresidentFuchs attempts to curtail free speech on campus,” Fried tweeted. “And I’m calling on fellow members of #GatorNation to withhold donations until he does what’s right.”
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at The Florida Capital Star and The Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
Photo “University of Florida” by University of Florida Admissions.
